| About the Folkmanis Cover Girl (Here's a word from Kate's Mom....) She has always sparkled. Yet at three years old Kate understood and used the
word “persevere.” She would tell you today that she persevered and got to be a Kate was born with cleft lip and palate. It is a common occurrence; 1 in 700 is what we have been told. Kate has learned that “everyone has their thing.” Some people wear glasses or use a wheelchair. Often you might not see what a persons challenge in life is on the outside. But we all have them, inside or outside, sometime. After 6 surgeries with 3 plastic surgeons, a maxillofacial surgeon, an ENT and 2 orthodontists in 3 hospitals, Kate has proved that she has a special strength. You see it because she still sparkles. Being an advocate for your child’s’ medical care is daunting. It is easy to be intimidated or complacent. Doctors do not often like their advice questioned. Find one who does. Insurance companies don’t encourage you to be thorough. It is less expensive if you are not. She sparkles. Kate has been a partner in all of our decisions. She knows the details and confronts all of the information. We have not protected her from knowing about her own body. This clarity helps her shine. It is not just the beauty on the outside you see. She is clever, creative and well spoken. At her last pre-operative appointment the Doctor asked if she had any questions. Kate asked if they could also pierce her ears. The surgeons of a renowned craniofacial team happily pierced her ears during surgery. Her ears now sparkle, too.
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| For more information about resources for cleft lip and palate: |
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